HINSDALE – As state Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) pursues the governorship in Illinois, rumors swirled as to who would seek his 24th congressional seat.

State Rep. Patti Bellock (R-Hinsdale, 47th District) has removed herself from that rumor mill, saying Thursday she has no intention of pursuing the vacant seat.

“I think my plans right now are to stay in the house because I just made leadership,” Bellock said.

Bellock said being the assistant minority leader, the budgetier for the caucus and still working on Medicaid reforms were the major issues that tied in to her decision for not pursing Dillard's seat.

“I really debated back and forth about it, but my caucus really wanted me to stay and do all those things,” Bellock said.

Bellock said it was a “really tough decision” because being Senator is something she has thought about before. As for pursing a Senator seat in the future, Bellock said she just goes day to day with decisions like that and never thought she would be in politics this long to begin with.

“I've just always done my job that's in front of me and I feel this is the job that's in front of me right now,” she said. “I feel the position I'm in right now I'm able to work at trying to get the budget back in order and that's the key thing I would like to do. That's been my mission the last four or five years.”

Bellock said she like Dillard's chances in the governor's race because of how well known he is in this part of the state, and the fact he has been traveling and meeting residents downstate. She said she felt a lot of people took notice of him after he lost the primary last time by just 193 votes.

“I think a lot of people think he can win the general election if he can win the primary and I think a lot of people will support him for that reason,” she said.